US5242309A - Rotary connector - Google Patents

Rotary connector Download PDF

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Publication number
US5242309A
US5242309A US07/768,819 US76881991A US5242309A US 5242309 A US5242309 A US 5242309A US 76881991 A US76881991 A US 76881991A US 5242309 A US5242309 A US 5242309A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
rotatable
case
flat cable
cases
rotary connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/768,819
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English (en)
Inventor
Masahiro Hasegawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Furukawa Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Assigned to FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., THE reassignment FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: HASEGAWA, MASAHIRO
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5242309A publication Critical patent/US5242309A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
    • B60R16/027—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
    • H01R35/025—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a rotary connector which is mounted to a steering device for connecting the rotating steering device to a vehicle body side.
  • Steering devices involve a rotating motion caused by a steering wheel, and thus, a rotary connector is used to connect the steering device to the vehicle body side.
  • the rotary connector comprises, for example, a fixed case and a rotatable case, produced by molding a synthetic resin, and a spirally wound flexible flat cable arranged in an annular space defined by the fixed and rotatable cases and including a plurality of electrical conductors covered with an insulating material for transmitting an electrical signal.
  • a plurality of lead wires are connected to the conductors at each end of the flat cable, and the connected portions are molded into one piece using a synthetic resin.
  • the molded part at the outer end of the cable is fitted into an outlet portion of the fixed case and the molded part at the inner end is fitted into an outlet portion of the rotatable case, such that the lead wires at both ends of the cable are extended to the outside of the cases.
  • the rotary connector is mounted to the steering device, as mentioned above, and thus, in some cases, provided is with cancel cams integral therewith for restoring a combination switch arranged close thereto, such as a turn signal switch, to a previous position.
  • the cancel cams are two in number and are formed at the lower portion of the rotatable case symmetrically about the axis of rotation and in different positions depending on whether the vehicle has a left-hand or right-hand steering wheel.
  • rotatable cases for right-hand steering and rotatable cases for left-hand steering are manufactured separately, to provide two types of rotary connectors with cancel cams.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector which can be used not only for a vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel but also for a vehicle with a left-hand steering wheel.
  • a rotary connector for connecting a steering device operated through a steering wheel to a vehicle body side, including a rotatable case mounted to the steering device and provided with a least one cancel cam for restoring a combination switch, a fixed case combined with the rotatable case, and a flat cable spirally wound and housed in the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable having inner and outer ends extended to outside through outlet portions formed in corresponding ones of the rotatable and fixed cases, wherein the flat cable is allowed to loosen and tighten to thereby permit a predetermined number of rotations of the rotatable case relative to the fixed case.
  • the present invention is characterized in that the outlet portion for extending the inner end of the flat cable therethrough to outside comprises at least two outlet portions for a left-hand steering wheel and a right-hand steering wheel located in different positions of the rotatable case.
  • the rotatable case has at least two cable outlet portions at different positions, for passing the inner end of the flat cable therethrough. Accordingly, a single connector can be used not only for a vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel but also for a vehicle with a left-hand steering wheel, by using different outlet portions for passing the inner end of the cable, whereby the manufacturing cost of rotary connectors is reduced and the parts management is simplified.
  • the rotary connector further comprises a detection protuberance provided on an upper portion of the rotatable case, and a protective cover having a plurality of insertion holes for insertion of the detection protuberance therethrough and capped on the rotatable case, wherein the detection protuberance is inserted selectively through a predetermined one of the insertion holes of the protective cover during assembling, depending on whether the inner end of the flat cable is extended to outside through the outlet portion for a left-hand steering wheel or right-hand steering wheel.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing how the connector is assembled;
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inner cylindrical case
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a partly broken bottom view of the inner cylindrical case
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an end of a flat cable
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how a confirmation label is used
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of the flat cable.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing still another example of the flat cable.
  • a rotary connector 10 comprises a base plate 11, an inner cylindrical case 12, a flat cable 13, an outer cylindrical case 14, an indicator gear 15, and a protective cover 16, which are successively put together in the mentioned order.
  • the base plate 11 and the outer cylindrical case 14 constitute a fixed case while the inner cylindrical case 12 serves as a rotatable case, and these elements are produced by molding a synthetic resin.
  • the base plate 11 is a disc-shaped member which is to be secured to a vehicle body, and has an engaging opening 11a in the center thereof for engaging with a lower portion of the inner cylindrical case 12.
  • the inner cylindrical case 12 is a cylindrical member through which a steering shaft is inserted vertically (as viewed in FIG. 1).
  • cable outlet portions 12c and 12d are each formed between inner and outer walls 12a and 12b and located in diametrically opposite positions of the case 12.
  • the outlet portions 12c and 12d are in communication with the outside through slits 12e and 12f cut in the outer wall 12b, respectively.
  • a molded part M 1 at the inner end of a flat cable 13, mentioned later, is detachably fitted into one of the outlet portions, depending on whether the vehicle has a left-hand or right-hand steering wheel.
  • cancel cams 12g and 12h project integrally from the lower end of the inner wall 12a of the inner cylindrical case 12.
  • the cams 12g and 12h operate when the steering wheel is turned, in such a way that a turn signal switch of a steering device (neither is shown) is returned to a previous position taken before the steering wheel is turned.
  • the cams 12g and 12h are located on the same side as the outlet portion 12d with respect to a diametrical line R passing through a detection boss 12i.
  • the detection boss 12i is a protuberance which enables a determination to be made as to whether the rotary connector 10 is for a right-hand or left-hand steering wheel when it is assembled, and is located in the vicinity of the outlet portion 12d.
  • the flat cable 13 includes a plurality of electrical conductors 13a covered with an insulating material 13b, and is loosely wound in spiral form in an annular space defined by the inner and outer cylindrical cases 12 and 14.
  • Lead wires 17 are connected to the electrical conductors 13a at the inner end of the flat cable 13, and the connected portions are molded into one piece using a synthetic resin, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby forming a molded part M 1 for the protection from tensile stress.
  • Lead wires 18 are connected to the outer end of the flat cable 13, and the connected portions are similarly molded to form a molded part M 2 for the purpose of protection.
  • the flat cable 13 loosens or tightens as the inner cylindrical case 12 is rotated in accordance with the steering operation, and the rotary connector 10 permits a predetermined number of rotations of the inner cylindrical case 12 relative to the fixed case constituted by the base plate 11 and the outer cylindrical case 14.
  • the outer cylindrical case 14 is a member engaged by the base plate 11 and surrounding the inner cylindrical case 12.
  • An outlet portion 14a is formed on the outer periphery of the case 14 for guiding the load wires 18 connected to the outer end of the flat cable 13 to outside, and a grooved recess 14b is formed in the upper surface of the case 14 for rotatably receiving the indicator gear 15.
  • Teeth 14c are cut in the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall of the case 14.
  • the indicator gear 15 serves to indicate the number of clockwise or counterclockwise rotations of the inner cylindrical case 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the indicator gear 15 has teeth 15a on the outer peripheral surface thereof for engaging with the internal teeth 14c of the outer cylindrical case 14, and the numbers of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations are indicated on the upper surface of the gear 15. The number of the teeth of the indicator gear 15 is smaller than that of the internal teeth 14c so that the numbers of rotations can be shown. The indicator gear 15 is prevented from slipping off from the recess 14b by the protective cover 16 capped on the upper portion of the inner cylindrical case 12.
  • the protective cover 16 has an eccentric cam (not shown) provided at a lower surface thereof for positioning the indicator gear 15 eccentrically, and a transparent indicator window 16a through which the upper surface of the indicator gear 15 can be seen.
  • the protective cover 16 further includes insertion holes 16b and 16c into which the detection boss 12i of the inner cylindrical case 12 is inserted.
  • the detection boss 12i is inserted into one of the insertion holes 16b and 16c, and this permits a determination to be made as to whether the rotary connector 10 is assembled for a right-hand or left-hand steering wheel.
  • the molded part M 1 at the inner end of the flat cable 13 is fitted into one of the outlet portions 12c and 12d of the inner cylindrical case 12, depending on whether the connector is for a right-hand or left-hand steering wheel, and thus, the detection boss 12i is inserted into the insertion hole 16b or 16c of the protective cover 16 in accordance with the steering type, left-hand steering or right-hand steering.
  • the inner cylindrical case 12 has two outlet portions 12c and 12d for receiving the molded part M 1 at the inner end of the flat cable 13, as described above.
  • the rotary connector 10 can be assembled for use with a right-hand or left-hand steering wheel as needed, by fitting the molded part M 1 into the outlet portion 12c or 12d.
  • the molded part M 1 is fitted into the outlet portion 12d.
  • the detection boss 12i is inserted into the insertion hole 16b when the rotary connector 10 is assembled.
  • the molded part M 1 is fitted into the outlet portion 12c, in which case the detection boss 12i is inserted into the insertion hole 16c when the rotary connector 10 is assembled.
  • a rotary connector that was assembled for a right-hand steering wheel can be easily modified for use with a left-hand steering wheel, by pulling out the detection boss 12i from the outlet portion 12d and fitting it into the outlet portion 12c.
  • a confirmation label 20 for a right-hand steering wheel or a confirmation label 21 for a left-hand steering wheel, having a cut 20a or 21a corresponding in position to the insertion hole 16b or 16c, may be applied to the upper surface of the protective cover 16, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • a cable to be used may be a flat cable 20 shown in FIG. 7, in which a plurality of optical fibers 20a are embedded in a covering 20b of synthetic resin, or a flat cable 25 shown in FIG. 8, in which a plurality of electrical conductors 26 and a plurality of optical fibers 27 are covered with an insulating material 28.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
US07/768,819 1990-10-05 1991-09-30 Rotary connector Expired - Fee Related US5242309A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1990105136U JPH0711424Y2 (ja) 1990-10-05 1990-10-05 回転コネクタ
JP2-105136[U] 1990-10-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5242309A true US5242309A (en) 1993-09-07

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/768,819 Expired - Fee Related US5242309A (en) 1990-10-05 1991-09-30 Rotary connector

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US5242309A (en])
EP (1) EP0479568B1 (en])
JP (1) JPH0711424Y2 (en])
DE (1) DE69116492T2 (en])

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5393007A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-02-28 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Cord reel mechanism
US5588854A (en) * 1994-08-26 1996-12-31 Yazaki Corporation Electrical connection device between handle and steering column
US5704633A (en) * 1995-12-19 1998-01-06 United Technologies Automotive Systems, Inc. Modular clock spring arrangement
US5773776A (en) * 1996-10-21 1998-06-30 Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc. Steering wheel assembly
US5928018A (en) * 1996-09-16 1999-07-27 Valeo Electronique Rotary contactor for automobile steering wheel
US5936215A (en) * 1997-02-24 1999-08-10 Yazaki Corporation Steering roller connector signal transmission device on a steering wheel column
US6039588A (en) * 1997-07-11 2000-03-21 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
US20060084306A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-20 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Non-reversing short tape coil device
US20090317994A1 (en) * 2008-06-19 2009-12-24 Niles Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US20120260510A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Angle sensor
US9579806B2 (en) 2012-08-23 2017-02-28 Rethink Robotics, Inc. Robotic power and signal distribution using laminated cable with separator webs
US20190280443A1 (en) * 2016-08-30 2019-09-12 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US20200235632A1 (en) * 2017-10-06 2020-07-23 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device and method of assembling rotary connector device

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2691587A1 (fr) * 1992-05-25 1993-11-26 Valeo Commutation Contacteur tournant, notamment pour véhicule automobile.
FR2703519B1 (fr) * 1993-04-02 1995-05-19 Renault Boîtier de connexion pour bloc de commande d'accessoires électriques d'un véhicule.
JP2710911B2 (ja) * 1993-05-31 1998-02-10 アルプス電気株式会社 ケーブルリール
FR2718296B1 (fr) * 1994-03-30 1996-05-15 Valeo Electronique Ruban de liaison électrique pour contacteur tournant, en particulier pour véhicules automobiles.
FR2734419B1 (fr) * 1995-05-19 1997-06-13 Renault Boitier de connexion pour vehicule automobile
DE19616662A1 (de) * 1996-04-26 1997-10-30 Alcatel Kabel Ag Vorrichtung zur Signalübertragung zwischen zwei Endstellen
FR2753575B1 (fr) * 1996-09-16 1999-02-12 Valeo Electronique Contacteur tournant a ruban, notamment pour vehicules automobiles
FR2757692B1 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1999-01-22 Valeo Electronique Contacteur tournant a reperage electrique pour vehicule automobile
JPH11191346A (ja) * 1997-12-26 1999-07-13 Niles Parts Co Ltd 回転コネクタ付きコラムスイッチ
JP4080503B2 (ja) * 2005-10-03 2008-04-23 中部日本マルコ株式会社 非接触コネクタ

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0243047A2 (en) * 1986-04-15 1987-10-28 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Connector device for a transmission line connecting two relatively rotating members
US4768394A (en) * 1983-12-29 1988-09-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Steering wheel device
US4888456A (en) * 1987-12-14 1989-12-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho Vehicle turn signal cancelling device
US4913662A (en) * 1989-03-06 1990-04-03 Nadin Noy Flat, flexible, cable construction and connector attached thereto
US4936782A (en) * 1988-05-23 1990-06-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Flat cable for steering device of vehicle
US4978191A (en) * 1989-02-14 1990-12-18 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Connector device
US5151042A (en) * 1990-10-02 1992-09-29 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60114048U (ja) * 1984-01-11 1985-08-01 富士重工業株式会社 ステアリング装置
JPS6187477U (en]) * 1984-11-13 1986-06-07

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4768394A (en) * 1983-12-29 1988-09-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Steering wheel device
EP0243047A2 (en) * 1986-04-15 1987-10-28 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Connector device for a transmission line connecting two relatively rotating members
US4744763A (en) * 1986-04-15 1988-05-17 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Connector device for a transmission line connecting two relatively rotating members
US4888456A (en) * 1987-12-14 1989-12-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho Vehicle turn signal cancelling device
US4936782A (en) * 1988-05-23 1990-06-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Flat cable for steering device of vehicle
US4978191A (en) * 1989-02-14 1990-12-18 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Connector device
US4913662A (en) * 1989-03-06 1990-04-03 Nadin Noy Flat, flexible, cable construction and connector attached thereto
US5151042A (en) * 1990-10-02 1992-09-29 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5393007A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-02-28 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Cord reel mechanism
US5588854A (en) * 1994-08-26 1996-12-31 Yazaki Corporation Electrical connection device between handle and steering column
US5704633A (en) * 1995-12-19 1998-01-06 United Technologies Automotive Systems, Inc. Modular clock spring arrangement
US5928018A (en) * 1996-09-16 1999-07-27 Valeo Electronique Rotary contactor for automobile steering wheel
US5773776A (en) * 1996-10-21 1998-06-30 Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc. Steering wheel assembly
US5936215A (en) * 1997-02-24 1999-08-10 Yazaki Corporation Steering roller connector signal transmission device on a steering wheel column
US6039588A (en) * 1997-07-11 2000-03-21 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
US7192293B2 (en) 2004-10-15 2007-03-20 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Non-reversing short tape coil device
US20060084306A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-20 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Non-reversing short tape coil device
US20090317994A1 (en) * 2008-06-19 2009-12-24 Niles Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US7798816B2 (en) * 2008-06-19 2010-09-21 Niles Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US20120260510A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Angle sensor
US8510962B2 (en) * 2011-04-15 2013-08-20 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Angle sensor
US9579806B2 (en) 2012-08-23 2017-02-28 Rethink Robotics, Inc. Robotic power and signal distribution using laminated cable with separator webs
US10293496B2 (en) 2012-08-23 2019-05-21 Rethink Robotics Gmbh Robotic power and signal distribution using laminated cable with separator webs
US20190280443A1 (en) * 2016-08-30 2019-09-12 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US10833466B2 (en) * 2016-08-30 2020-11-10 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
US20200235632A1 (en) * 2017-10-06 2020-07-23 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device and method of assembling rotary connector device
US11539263B2 (en) * 2017-10-06 2022-12-27 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device and method of assembling rotary connector device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69116492T2 (de) 1996-05-30
JPH0461893U (en]) 1992-05-27
JPH0711424Y2 (ja) 1995-03-15
EP0479568A2 (en) 1992-04-08
EP0479568A3 (en) 1993-02-24
EP0479568B1 (en) 1996-01-17
DE69116492D1 (de) 1996-02-29

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Effective date: 20010907

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